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Debunking Three Myths about Basement Waterproofing

Basement waterproofing and foundation crack repair are two important maintenance activities that should be performed in order to protect your home, your belongings and the health of those that reside within your home. These activities will assist in preventing water from invading the basement region of your home. This is especially important if your home has been constructed on ground level, or if the home was built below ground level. If the opportunity for ground water to accumulate within the soil is present to where the water table of the area may be raised, waterproofing the basement region is essential. Unfortunately, there are several myths surrounding basement waterproofing. In this brief guide, you will be introduced to the three most common myths. The fact of the matter is, it is your responsibility to waterproof this area of your home and indulge in repairing cracks in the foundation when the need arises. Due to this fact, it is absolutely imperative that you understand the facts surrounding waterproofing and are able to successfully identify the myths that surround this activity.

Waterproofing from Outside

One of the biggest myths associated with the waterproofing activities that should take place in the basement is that it may be done from the outside. This is a myth. According to professionals, it is actually considered to be impossible to properly waterproof this area of the home from the outside area. Many so-called “professionals” are providing misinformation to the public. These individuals claim that ground water may be eliminated from the exterior surface of the home by allowing the water to enter into the basement region. In other words, simply diverting a water source will assist in preventing the walls from buckling, water damage to occur within the concrete, and will assist in the process of freezing or thawing the soil that surrounds the building. It has been established that this is not effective. In addition to this, waterproofing from the outside will not prevent the moisture within the basement. As a matter of fact, it could make it worse. Basement waterproofing and foundation crack repair should be done in the interior region of the basement in order to prove effective and to eliminate moisture accumulation.

Water Redirection Does Not Cause Water Pollution

When it comes to waterproofing the ground level or below ground level floors of your home, it is considered to be a myth that water redirection does not cause water pollution. In fact, it is believed that this enhances the amount of water pollution in an area. The clear ground water that is often associated with basement moisture levels is wastefully pumped into the city sewage systems. The water should be flowing into storm drains. When it ends up in storm drains, it will flow into the local treatment plant for waste water. However, when the water reaches sewage systems, it could result in the overflow of raw sewage into major bodies of water, such as rivers and even small streams. This is especially true if heavy rains are experienced. When individuals elect to redirect water by waterproofing the outside area of their basement, they are actually contributing to water pollution. In order to avoid this complication, water should not be redirected.

Masonry Sealant is the Top Option

Many homeowners have been led to believe that masonry sealant is the top option when it comes to waterproofing the lowest levels of their home. This is a myth. While it is true that this sealant is effective in certain types of home improvement projects, it is not true that it is effective against water invasions. In order to properly protect the basement, all cracks within the area should be completely repaired. In addition to this, a specially-designed waterproofing sealant should be utilized to prevent the moisture from invading the home. If you only depend on a masonry sealant, you will find that you continue to experience complications with moisture.

As you can see, there are many myths surrounding basement waterproofing and foundation crack repair. As a homeowner, it is critical that you learn fact from fiction. Excessive moisture within the basement could result in structural damage, damage to personal property, and could result in numerous health hazards – such as the development of mold and mildew. By ensuring that you are familiar with the facts and the proper steps for waterproofing and foundation crack repair, you can be certain that you are taking the proper steps to resolve current moisture issues and to prevent future moisture issues. Now that we have debunked the top three myths of waterproofing the basements of a structure, it is time to stick to the facts and start working on the techniques that are considered to be appropriate in sealing your basement. Like your roof, it deserves all the attention.